LITTLE FOOL CHAPTER 32

Chapter 32: Gui Gui from Now On

Mu Mu obediently nodded, saying, “Okay, Mu Mu will listen to Mr. Yan, no rush.”

Seeing Mu Mu so obedient, the gloom in Yan Gui Xing’s eyes dissipated slightly, and his irritation gradually subsided.

He continued to lead Mu Mu back, asking knowingly, “Who is An An that you mentioned? Is An An your family?”

Mu Mu shook his head, earnestly saying, “An An is not family. Mu Mu’s parents passed away seventeen years ago; Mu Mu has no family. An An is a very, very important friend to Mu Mu. We’ve always lived together.”

Although Yan Gui Xing already knew who Zheng An was and his relationship with Mu Mu, when he heard it from Mu Mu, a surge of jealousy welled up inside him.

“Mr. Yan, Mu Mu didn’t go home all night and this morning; he didn’t contact An An; he must be very worried!”

The more Mu Mu spoke, the slower he walked, finally stopping and pulling Yan Gui Xing to a standstill. He looked up, his small face crumpled with worry.

“An An’s very anxious. If he sees Mu Mu hasn’t returned, he’ll think something happened to Mu Mu. Mr. Yan, do you think he’ll call the police?”

An An and Mr. Yan; who’s closer? Decide now!

Yan Gui Xing’s improving mood completely soured because of these two contrasting appellations.

The sea-green eyes lost all their smile, becoming dark and heavy, the curve of his lips disappearing, the remaining trace of a smile seeming both angry and not angry, quite frightening.

He said in an indifferent tone, “According to Imperial law, the police won’t file a case for a missing adult until 50 hours have passed.”

Mu Mu, unlike others who could multitask, was completely focused on Zheng An and didn’t notice Yan Gui Xing’s displeasure. He thought Yan Gui Xing was answering his question, patted his chest with his free hand, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Even if Mu Mu had noticed Yan Gui Xing’s fluctuating emotions, he wouldn’t understand why he was unhappy; he would simply ask directly.

According to Yan Gui Xing’s personality, he wouldn’t admit to being jealous and, most importantly, he wouldn’t even realize he was jealous. He would simply say it was nothing, that Mu Mu had misread him.

The outcome of this conversation would be the same as now, with only Yan Gui Xing stewing in his own displeasure.

Yan Gui Xing thought the Zheng An matter was over and was about to take Mu Mu inside when Mu Mu asked, “Mr. Yan, have you seen Mu Mu’s datapad?”

Yan Gui Xing’s temple twitched. He knew Mu Mu was looking for his datapad because of Zheng An.

He cursed inwardly at the persistent annoyance, maintaining a gentle tone, “Why do you need your datapad, Mu Mu?”

“An An has waited so long; he must be very worried! Mu Mu needs to contact An An. Mr. Yan, have you seen Mu Mu’s datapad?”

Mu Mu looked anxiously at Yan Gui Xing, afraid that he would shake his head and say no. He was really afraid that he had left his datapad in the alley yesterday, which meant another expense for a new one.

Although datapads were necessities for every citizen in the Empire, they weren’t cheap.

Children received datapads from the Empire for free. Upon reaching adulthood, they could exchange their children’s datapads for adult versions at designated Imperial datapad exchange centers.

In other words, every Imperial citizen’s first datapad was free.

However, if they wanted to upgrade to a newer model later, the Empire offered no further discounts, and they had to pay the full price themselves.

Because datapads were expensive, only the wealthy would upgrade, or those who had lost theirs would buy a new one.

Most people kept the same datapad for life, and Mu Mu had planned to do the same.

“Datapads are so expensive,” Mu Mu thought more and more that he’d lost his datapad in the alley, his lips pouting in distress.

“Mu Mu is so poor, so poor. If he has to buy a new datapad, he’ll truly become penniless.”

Yan Gui Xing was amused and, unable to resist, poked Mu Mu’s puffed-up cheek, laughing, “With me around, how could you possibly become penniless?”

“Wah! Mu Mu’s datapad is lost!” Mu Mu didn’t understand the connection between Yan Gui Xing’s money and himself; he only knew his datapad was lost, and he’d lost most of his savings.

Overwhelmed with sadness, Mu Mu’s eyes and nose turned red; tears welled up, threatening to spill at any moment.

Yan Gui Xing was stunned by Mu Mu’s comprehension. After only a few seconds of astonishment, seeing Mu Mu’s red eyes and impending tears, he quickly said, “It’s not lost. Your datapad is with me.”

He immediately regretted it; his words made it obvious he’d hidden Mu Mu’s datapad.

Although he had planned to hide Mu Mu’s datapad to cut off his contact with the outside world, to keep him by his side, a docile pet belonging only to him, Yan Gui Xing.

But it seemed he was the one panicking now?

Yan Gui Xing reflected on his sudden compassion, explaining, “The doctor took your datapad when he was treating your wounds and gave it to me. I kept it for you; I hadn’t answered you because I was trying to remember where I put it.”

Anyone else would have seen the glaring inconsistencies in Yan Gui Xing’s explanation.

A simple question like, “Why didn’t you answer me immediately when I asked you earlier?” would have completely refuted his statement.

Yet Mu Mu believed him, not only believed him but was deeply moved, softly saying that Mr. Yan was a good person.

Yan Gui Xing, whether from the title “Mr. Yan” or from receiving another “good person” card, felt a tightness in his chest, almost suffering internal injuries.

Yet, he couldn’t express any complaints, gently responding with “it’s nothing,” unable to say anything else.

Well, not exactly nothing.

When Yan Gui Xing handed Mu Mu the datapad, he suddenly retracted his hand, causing Mu Mu’s outstretched hand to miss.

Mu Mu didn’t think anything of it and reached out again. Yan Gui Xing seized his hand, and Mu Mu looked up questioningly.

“Mr. Yan, what’s wrong?”

Yan Gui Xing had been hesitant about what to say until Mu Mu spoke. After all, Mu Mu had already broken so many of his rules; was there really a need to break another one regarding the term of endearment?

But the next moment, after another “Mr. Yan” from Mu Mu, Yan Gui Xing decided to do it.

Mu Mu was his, so he should belong to Yan Gui Xing from body to heart to soul, inside and out, marked with Yan Gui Xing’s name.

If he needed to rely on or be close to someone, it could only be Yan Gui Xing. No one else could occupy that place in his life, not even the slightest bit.

“Mu Mu, I’ll ask you, what’s our relationship now?”

Mu Mu blinked, suddenly smiling. This question was easy; he knew the answer. “Mr. Yan likes Mu Mu, and Mu Mu likes Mr. Yan. We’re boyfriends who will sign a marriage certificate!”

Yan Gui Xing selectively ignored the “marriage certificate” part, only hearing “boyfriends,” and nodded with satisfaction.

“Since our relationship is so close, shouldn’t Mu Mu change the way he addresses me? ‘Mr. Yan’ sounds so formal.”

Mu Mu didn’t actually think calling him “Mr. Yan” was formal, but since Yan Gui Xing brought it up, he would graciously fulfill his wish.

“Um…” Mu Mu put his hand to his chin, silently repeating Yan Gui Xing’s name over and over, trying to find a more comfortable term of endearment.

“Gui Gui!”

Yan Gui Xing’s expression faltered. “Ah?” he responded, feigning incomprehension.

Mu Mu found it much smoother after saying it, his brows curved, his soft voice calling out loudly, “Gui Gui! From now on, Mr. Yan is Gui Gui!”

Yan Gui Xing: “…”

Yan Gui Xing couldn’t have imagined Mu Mu still used reduplication.

Moreover, Mu Mu was like a blank slate in matters of love, having never had a relationship, and rarely had time to watch romance movies. He naturally couldn’t think of the intimate terms Yan Gui Xing wanted.

Now, he had the intimate nickname he wanted, but he couldn’t accept it himself.

Gui Gui? It sounded like “ghost” and “turtle,” not human at all.

Yan Gui Xing didn’t want that. He wanted the simpleton to call him “darling,” “husband,” in that soft, sweet voice.

But Mu Mu had already submitted a satisfactory answer; Yan Gui Xing wasn’t shameless enough to teach the simpleton to call him “husband” outside of specific, restricted situations.

No matter how reluctant Yan Gui Xing was, he could only accept the term and gave Mu Mu the datapad.

As soon as Mu Mu received his datapad, he immediately video called Zheng An.

After half a syllable of the connecting sound, Zheng An’s haggard face appeared on the screen, clearly having stayed up all night, guarding his datapad.

Before Mu Mu could speak, Zheng An launched into a scolding, criticizing Mu Mu for being an adult who didn’t come home overnight or even call or text, disappearing for a day and a night without explanation, causing him to worry so much that he went to the police station to report him missing—such thoughtlessness.

Yan Gui Xing, who had been annoyed since Mu Mu got his datapad and immediately video-called Zheng An, was even more irritated now.

Hearing Zheng An’s harsh tone, he furrowed his brow deeply, his expression turning grim and sullen.

Just as he was about to scold the young man on the other side of the screen for his poor communication skills, he saw the child sitting obediently on the sofa soothing Zheng An with a soft smile and gentle words.

Yan Gui Xing became even more annoyed.

Fortunately, after Zheng An vented, he started to worry about Mu Mu. He first asked why he had such a large bandage on his face, whether he was injured, who had hit him, and if he needed help getting revenge.

Then he asked where Mu Mu had been last night, where he was now, and why he was only contacting him now.

Finally, he asked when Mu Mu was coming home and if he should pick him up.

He also said he’d found an apartment, and when Mu Mu got back, they could go see it together.

Yan Gui Xing watched Mu Mu’s eyes light up at the mention of a new apartment, his heart sinking, realizing it was all over.

_____

Translator’s note: I’m really hoping that Yan Gui Xing will fall so hard, he’s going to beg, crawl, and cry with snot and tears for Mu Mu. I hate him!!! Ah!!! My frustration is over the top. He’s such a red flag!!!! Mu Mu is so innocent!~ Forgive me for ranting, I just have to vent out. Hahaha.